Page 5 of More Than Falling in Love

Ivy smiles and slides her hands into the pockets of her paint-splattered smock.“Hey, Kent.It’s good to see you.Mason did a wonderful job on his painting.”

“Oh good.He behaving?”

She nods.“Always.He’s a great kid.”

I’ve accepted that he was born great, and my job is to not mess him up.“Okay, bud, show me what you painted.”

He drags me to a wall where wrinkled pages are attached to a string with clothespins.“That’s mine.It’s the ranch!”

A bright red barn perched on a green hill fills the lower half of the page, and blue covers the sky.

“I tried to paint clouds, but the white didn’t work over the blue.”

I’m grinning like he won a national title.“You did a great job.”The road that led me to this place was full of potholes and detours.The years were painful, and I don’t have a treasure trove of good memories.But I would do it all over again just to have this kid in my life.He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.I only wish I’d gotten to be in his life from Day 1 and not just the last year.

He bounces on his toes, the sense of accomplishment oozing off him as giddiness.“Will you take a picture so I can show Parker the horse barn?”

“Yep.”I snap a picture of the art, then another with Mason standing beside it.

As I pocket my phone, the woman with the high-pitched voice touches my arm.“Would you be a dear and take a picture for me?I must’ve left my phone in the car.”

The outline of her phone is clear in the side pocket of her leggings, but I’d rather not cause a scene.Hopefully, Mason doesn’t notice because he’ll say something about it.

“Sure.”

Her daughter stands beside a painting of flowers, and I take a few photos.

“Thanks.”The little girl turns to her mom.“Can I go talk to Mia now?”

“Have fun.”The mom steps closer to me.“Let me give you my number, and you can send me the photos.”

It’s now evident that I should’ve mentioned the phone in her pocket.This was a setup.

Across the room, Ivy gives me a look, one asking if I need to be rescued.

I wave her over.“I have a better idea.”

Ivy tousles Mason’s hair as she steps up next to me.‘What’s up?”

Pointing, I explain.“I took pictures of her daughter’s artwork.I’ll send them to you, and you can forward them to her.I’m guessing you have her number.”

“I do.That works.”Ivy smiles.

The look on the woman’s face tells me she does not share the same enthusiasm for my idea.

Mason tugs on my hand.“You ready, Dad?Mad Dog said his kid was coming to the ranch today.”

The local pastor is marrying Ava, the woman who makes the ranch feel like a home.This is the first I’ve heard about his kid, but I’m guessing his children would be close to my age.

I snap another photo of Mason’s artwork, then lead him out to the truck.

As we drive home, Mason tells stories about different students in his class.It’s nearing the end of the year, and I still haven’t sorted out all the kids he talks about.

When he stops for a breather, I jump in, trying to temper his expectations about Mad Dog’s kid.“Mad Dog might not have kids that are your age.”

His brow furrows.“Oh.I was hoping they’d play with me.”

“We can do something fun if you want.”I’ll have to get some of the other ranch hands to cover a few of my chores, but I don’t want my kid spending the day disappointed.

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